Local organisations
Urban Youth Action (formerly known as Sutton Ramp Events)
Bringing supervised urban extreme sports events to Sutton in 2004, Urban Youth Action (UYA) has grown from its roots as Sutton Ramp Events into one of Sutton’s leading charities working to keep young people off the streets. The very first events in Royston skatepark highlighted that these sports could be a vehicle for meeting the needs of local young people. The charity has since grown, and garnered close relationships with the Metropolitan Police, Sutton Youth Service, and many other youth organisations such as Sutton Mencap and Sutton Young Carers. Today, the charity has four members of staff, and more than 50 volunteers (aged 14+)—some of whom were past service-users who now want to give back to their community. Using mobile ramps, safety equipment, and skateboards, UYA’s
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Skate Tutors visit schools and skate parks around Sutton to provide skateboarding lessons and run competitions, encouraging young people to get active and learn a new hobby. It is through this promotion of extreme sports that UYA works to break down barriers between youth subcultures, reduce antisocial behaviour and curb gang intimidation, while also building healthy relationships and growing self-esteem. Over the last three years, UYA has also taught in the majority of Sutton's schools, engaging with two to three thousand young people each year. Why skateboarding and extreme sports? Skateboarding is different from other sports: it has an edgy culture and, becoming a proficient rider adds to the young person’s street credibility. Along with this is the inherent danger of falling off—hence the safety pads and helmet! It offers an appealing alternative to mainstream sports, one which benefits many young people. In UYA’s
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